Jonathon Brooks was my favorite rookie running back going into this year's NFL Draft.
And coming out of it, he only separated himself further from the pack.
The Carolina Panthers spent the 46th overall pick on Brooks, a 20 year old prospect back from the Texas Longhorns.
The expensive, mid 2nd round draft cost is noteworthy for 2 reasons.
1) The main concern for Brooks coming into the Draft was the status of his recovery after tearing his ACL in November of 2023. Generally speaking, NFL teams don't spend expensive draft capital—like a mid-2nd round pick—on players they fear won't be able to play early and often.
2) NFL teams usually don't spend expensive draft capital—like a mid-2nd round pick—on running backs unless they have big plans for them in the offense.
To be clear, I am NOT expecting a massive workload for the rookie right away in year 1.
The Panthers likely see no obvious reason to rush him back in a(nother) rebuilding season when Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders are "fine enough" to keep the pressure off of Brooks while he recovers from a serious knee injury.
But in 2025 and beyond? 🚀
Long term, Brooks could be in line for MONSTER workloads in a Dave Canales offense that didn't hesitate to force-feed Rachaad White 336 touches—2nd only to Christian McCaffrey's 339—as the Buccaneers' Offensive Coordinator last year.
White went on to accumulate 1,539 scrimmage yards, 9 touchdowns and 15.8 PPR points per game, finishing as fantasy's RB 4 overall in PPR leagues.
Of course, not all running backs come equipped with the body or the skillset to be a workhorse in the NFL...
But Brooks does.
Brooks was my favorite RB prospect heading into the draft, and the gap grew even wider following this selection.
It's not likely to be 2024, but there are RB 1 seasons coming.
And by the way, that's not to say Brooks shouldn't be on your fantasy football radar in 2024. He should be, as he's already being priced at a discount: He's currently being drafted as fantasy's RB 33 around pick 105 overall (late 9th round).
That's a perfectly reasonable price to pay for a guy like Brooks, a talented RB who's capable of workhorse volume in a workhorse type of offense.
Who's your favorite running back from this year's draft class? Are you drafting Brooks in your 2024 fantasy football leagues?
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